‘You can’t play like that’: Andy Cole ‘concerned’ by Manchester United’s style under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Red Devils recorded two 0-0 draws last week

Alex Pattle
Tuesday 02 March 2021 03:36 EST
Comments
Andy Cole (right) celebrates with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 1999
Andy Cole (right) celebrates with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 1999 (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has expressed his frustration at his old side’s style of play under ex-team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The attacking pair played together at the Old Trafford club between 1996 and 2001, and Cole has said that Solskjaer’s United lack a key quality that was instilled in him and the Norwegian by manager Sir Alex Ferguson during that period.

“Manchester United can’t play like that,” Cole told the Mirror after the Red Devils’ goalless Premier League draw at Chelsea last weekend.

READ MORE: United epitomise problem with drab ‘big six’ games

“It has to be a concern. If you think you can genuinely win the title or challenge for it, you have to score goals.

“Playing under Sir Alex Ferguson, the only thing he used to say to us was: ‘Go out and enjoy yourselves and entertain.’

“That’s what United are supposed to do, you’re supposed to entertain. You have to show your opponents respect, but you can’t fear them.

“Everyone wants to be tight, of course. You don’t want to concede goals, goalkeepers buzz off that and so do defenders. But if you concede a goal and you’re scoring goals yourself, I don’t think anyone’s that fussed, because you’re playing the way United should play.

“If you look back, United’s history is about playing good football, trying to win games playing a certain way, not being tight at the back and trying to nick a 1-0 win. United cannot play like that, and when they’ve tried to, they’ve come unstuck.

“Let’s get this straight – if you’re ever going to win the league, you have to knock over the big teams as well. Draws aren’t going to do it.”

The result against Chelsea marked United’s second 0-0 of the week following their Europa League last-32 second leg against Real Sociedad. United won the first leg 4-0.

The draw at Stamford Bridge left second-placed United 12 points behind rivals Man City in the Premier League with 12 games left to play.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in